The Maharashtra government is likely to convey to the Bihar government that the Mumbai police had followed the provisions of the Criminal Procedure Code in arresting a person from near Nepal border in the state in connection with the Azad Maidan riots.

The Bihar DGP had last week written to the Mumbai police warning of legal action if they acted without informing them in future. This created a furore in the state with Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray terming all Bihari residents as “infiltrators”.

State government officials said the matter was discussed with Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan and an appropriate response was being drafted. They said the police adhered to relevant sections of the CrPC in arresting the accused and producing him before a court.

Thackeray’s statement invited remarks from across the political spectrum with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar saying that he was no more than a “sirfira” (insane) and must be dealt with sternly. He even wondered if the Maharashtra government had outsourced governance to people like Thackeray.

During a rally on Friday, Thackeray read out the letter which warned of legal action against Maharashtra Police if they acted without informing the Bihar Police in future. He said: “If the Bihar government takes any legal action against the police for arresting criminals, I will declare all Biharis as infiltrators and throw them out.”

Chavan and top government officials refused to comment on the issue.

Meanwhile, the Shiv Sena has supported the MNS in its stand against the Bihar government over the arrest. An editorial in the party mouthpiece, Saamna, stated that Bihar CM should have congratulated Mumbai police as their action prevented Abdul Qadir from fomenting more trouble in that state. The editorial termed the arrested person as a traitor against the country and added that there was no need for Bihar chief secretary to interfere with Mumbai police’s work. The act of vandalism was against the nation and the police were Indian security men. This action has tarnished Nitish Kumar’s image, it said.

Shinde: Everybody has right to go anywhere for job

Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde said on Monday “everybody has a right to go anywhere and seek employment”.

On Raj Thackeray targeting certain news channels, he said, “It is not fair to target media. At times media criticises people and it should be accepted.”